Manure-derived synthetic crude oil

Manure-derived synthetic crude oil is a synthetic crude oil chemically engineered (converted) from animal or human manure. Research into the production of manure-derived synthetic crude oil began with pig manure in 1996 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by the research team led by professors Yuanhui Zhang and Lance Schideman.^[1][2] They developed a method for converting raw pig manure into a form of crude oil through thermal depolymerization (thermochemical conversion). This process uses a thermochemical conversion reactor to apply heat and pressure for breaking down carbohydrate materials.^[3][4] As a result, crude oil, methane and carbon dioxide are produced.^[5]

With further research, large-scale chemical processing in a refinery-style environment could help process millions of gallons of "pig crude" per day. However, this technology is still in its infancy and could produce only 18 US fluid ounces (530 ml) of oil per 1 US gallon (3.8 l; 0.83 imp gal) of manure.^[3] In 2006, preparations for a construction of a pilot plant started.^[6] It is developed by Snapshot Energy, a start-up firm.^[1]

According to the tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology pig manure crude produced by current technology contains 15% water, sulfur and char waste containing heavy metals, which should be removed to improve the quality of oil.^[7][8]

See also

• Alternative fuels
• Energy and the environment
• Poultry litter

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Don Dodson (2009-07-05). "New economic development chief well-versed in trade". The News-Gazette.com (requires subscription). http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/07/05/new_economic_development_chief_well-versed_in_trade. Retrieved 2009-08-28. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ Nave, R. L. (2007-08-22). "Energy hogs". Illinois Times. http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article-2304-energy-hogs.html. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Stefan Lovgren (2004-07-02). "Pig Manure Converted to Crude Oil". National Geographic News. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0701_040702_pigoil.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
4. ^ Dave Orrick (2006-04-28). "When pigs fly? Researcher makes oil from manure". Associated Press. http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_5074fc61-a50b-5356-8a24-bc593d295399.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
5. ^ Felipe Galindo (2004-04-20). "How a Pig's Waste Became Oil". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/20/science/observatory-how-a-pig-s-waste-became-oil.html. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
6. ^ "Manure to oil: Illinois team lays groundwork for pilot plant". Feedstuffs. 2006-04-03. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-15008269_ITM. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
7. ^ "Pig poo to help solve global energy crisis?". The Times of India. 2008-06-13. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3126087.cms. Retrieved 2009-08-28. 
8. ^ "NIST: Pig Manure Crude Needs Much Refining". Environmental Protection Online (1105 Media Inc.). 2008-06-20. http://eponline.com/articles/2008/06/20/nist-pig-manure-crude-needs-much-refining.aspx. Retrieved 2009-08-28.